Patent application title: Method and System for Coloring and Cutting Hair

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Abstract:

A palette assembly of one or more vertically arranged substantially flat
palettes with a central aperture for cutting and/or coloring hair. Layers
of hair are spread across the surface of the palette for cutting and/or
coloring in a desired pattern, whereby hair color can be applied onto
strands of hair in a desired specific pattern, or the hair may be cut
according to a desired specific pattern, each of which can be easily
replicated. Markings on the surface of the palette indicate the location
of a cut or a particular shade of color, to create a particular hairstyle
or color.

Claims:

1. A palette assembly for styling a person's hair, comprising: a
plurality of substantially flat palettes, each of the palettes comprising
a board having a central aperture defined by an inner edge, an outer edge
spaced radially from the inner edge and a thickness defined by an upper
face and a lower face; a securing mechanism for securing the palettes
about the person's head, the securing mechanism being engageable with the
central aperture; and a mechanism for positioning the plurality of
palettes relative to one another with spaces between adjacent palettes,
the mechanism being in engagement with the upper face and the lower face
of at least two palettes adjacent the outer edge of each palette.

2. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality
of palettes are stacked vertically and substantially parallel to one
another.

3. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the securing
mechanism is a gasket formed of hypoallergenic material.

4. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, further including a
mechanism for holding a portion of the person's hair away from the
palette assembly.

5. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of
the plurality of palettes is flexible.

6. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of
the plurality of palettes is transparent.

7. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of
the plurality of palettes includes a template on the upper face thereof,
the template comprising markings or grooves for cutting or coloring the
person's hair.

8. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mechanism
for positioning comprises a ladder clip.

9. A palette assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the ladder clip
includes at least two pairs of teeth, the teeth of each pair being in
engagement with the upper face and the lower face of at the least two
palettes adjacent the outer edge of each palette.

10. A method of styling a person's hair, comprising: a) spreading a first
section of the hair on an upper face of a first substantially flat
palette; and b) spreading a second section of the hair on an upper face
of a second substantially flat palette; wherein each palette has an
opening for positioning the palette about the person's head, a securing
mechanism for securing the palettes about the person's head, and an outer
edge spaced from the opening; wherein the first and second palettes are
vertically positioned relative to each other in substantially parallel
relationship; wherein at least one substantially flat palette includes a
template on the upper face thereof, the template indicating where and how
one of the sections of hair should be cut and/or colored; wherein step of
spreading the first or second section of hair is performed by overlying
the template with the spread section of hair; the method further
including the step of: c) cutting and/or coloring at least one of the
sections of hair according to the template; and d) holding a third
section of the hair away from the first and second palettes while
performing steps b) and c).

11. A method according to claim 10, further including the step of
providing a holding mechanism having a base, body extending upwardly from
the base and at least one clip for holding a portion of hair, the at
least one clip being supported from the body, the step of holding a third
section of the hair away from the first and second palettes includes
engaging the third section of hair with the at least one clip of the
holding mechanism.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the first palette is placed
about the person's head prior to performing step a) and the first section
of hair is cut or colored prior to performing step b).

13. A method according to claim 10, further including the step of:
vertically positioning the palettes relative to each other in
substantially parallel relationship by engaging the upper face and the
lower face of each palette adjacent the outer edge of each palette.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of vertically
positioning the palettes includes providing a ladder clip, the ladder
clip engaging the upper face and the lower face of each palette.

15. A method of styling a person's hair, the method comprising the steps
of: a) providing a palette having a substantially flat surface with a
central aperture and an outer edge, the palette including a styling
template on the substantially flat surface, the styling template
comprising markings or grooves on the substantially flat surface of the
palette, b) positioning the palette on the person's head with a portion
of the person's head extending through the central aperture, c) spreading
a first section of the person's hair over the styling template on the
substantially flat surface of the palette, d) holding a second section of
hair away from the palette; and e) cutting or coloring the first section
of hair in accordance with the styling template.

16. A method of styling a person's hair in accordance with claim 15,
wherein step d) is performed by: i) providing a holding mechanism having
a base, a telescoping body extending upwardly from the base and a clip
supported from the body, and ii) grasping the second section of hair with
the clip.

17. A method of styling a person's hair in accordance with claim 15,
wherein the central aperture includes an inner edge having a gasket
formed of hypoallergenic material and step b) includes encircling the
portion of the person's head extending through the central aperture with
the gasket to preclude hair styling materials from contacting sections of
hair other than the section of hair spread over the styling template.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/996,974 titled ADVANCED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMULTANEOUS
COLORING AND CUTTING HAIR filed on Dec. 13, 2007, the entirety of which
is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus
for coloring and cutting hair, and for precisely replicating a specific
hairstyle and/or color. Aspects of the present invention also relate
generally to a method of cutting and coloring hair with the apparatus of
the present invention.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In existing methods for coloring hair in more than one shade of
color, square pieces of foil are used to process the color. The hair is
divided into sections, color is applied and foil pieces are folded over
the colored hair for processing. A single color or shade is applied to
each section of hair in the foil.

[0006] However, while the hair is in the foil pieces, the hair cannot be
cut. In addition, the stylist is unable to see the entire head of hair
and the effect of the color during processing because the hair is
enclosed within the foil pieces. For example, the stylist is limited to
using only one shade of color at a time and cutting must be performed
separately because the hair is enclosed within the foil pieces. Further,
once the hair has been cut and/or colored, it is difficult to precisely
replicate a desired hairstyle and/or hair color. There is a need in the
art, therefore, for an apparatus and method for using more than a single
shade of color in one coloring process, for simultaneously coloring and
cutting hair, and for precisely replicating a specific hairstyle (e.g., a
specific shape and/or form of the hair) or a specific hair color.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Aspects of the present invention solve the above problems, and
others, by providing a palette assembly for cutting and/or coloring hair
that reduces the amount of time required to cut and color hair by
combining both processes and performing them simultaneously, for example.
Further, aspects of the present invention provide a palette assembly for
cutting hair according to exact specifications (e.g., shape, style and/or
form). In addition, aspects of the present invention provide a method and
system for coloring hair according to exact specifications (e.g.,
specific shades of color, on precise hair strands/locations). Aspects of
the present invention also provide the tools necessary to create the
desired style, shape, form and/or color using the palette assembly of the
present invention.

[0008] In particular, the present invention includes a palette assembly
formed from a plurality of substantially flat palettes that are arranged
vertically on the head of hair to be styled. The palettes have a central
aperture to encircle the head. A securing mechanism, such as a gasket, is
applied to the inner edge of the aperture to provide a smooth surface
between the palette and the head and also to prevent any color from
dripping between the gasket and the skin. Layers of hair are spread
across the surface of the palette for cutting in a desired pattern and/or
coloring, whereby a hair color product can be painted onto the strands of
hair in a desired specific pattern, which can be easily replicated.
Further, the hair may also be cut according to a desired specific
pattern, which can also be easily replicated. The surface of the palette
can have indicators, such as markings or grooves in order to indicate the
location of a cut to create a particular style, shape, form and/or shade
of color.

[0009] The remaining hair, before being spread onto the palette is held in
place, for example, in an upward position over the crown of the head, by
a holding mechanism, such as a free-standing assistant or other similar
mechanism that achieves the purpose of drawing the remaining hair away
from the palette assembly. The free standing assistant may include, for
example, a telescoping body mounted on a base and may have a goose-neck
attachment at an upper end of the telescoping body for flexibly holding a
portion or portions of the hair while the stylist prepares layers of the
hair on the palette assembly. The base of the free-standing assistant may
be mounted on casters, for example, so that the free-standing assistant
can roll to the desired position around the head to be colored and cut.
The free-standing assistant may have a removable tray and basket for
holding styling implements and/or color products.

[0010] Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be
set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will
become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following or upon learning by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the different figures, the same reference numerals designate
identical or similar features or components. The features of the
invention will be more readily understood with reference to the following
description and the attached drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates the completed palette assembly, according to
aspects of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary first palette according to aspects
of the present invention;

[0014] FIGS. 3A to 3G illustrate the exemplary second palettes, according
to aspects of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates the free-standing assistant, according to
aspects of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates the mixing bowl assembly, according to aspects
of the present invention;

[0017] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates the application brush, according to
aspects of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative application brush, according to
aspects of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 8 illustrates the non-residual adhesive member, according to
aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] An aspect of the present invention is directed to a hair cutting
and coloring palette assembly 2 for hairstyling, as shown in FIG. 1.
Palette assembly 2 includes a plurality of substantially flat palettes 4
to 4-7, having central apertures 8 to 8-7 for inserting the hair covered
portion of the head to be styled. The palettes 4 to 4-7 of the palette
assembly 2 may be arranged vertically, in layers, to encircle the head to
be styled. Alternatively, a single palette having an aperture may be
used.

[0021] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, palettes 4 to
4-7, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3G, are shown as having an oval
shape; however, the palettes can have any shape including, but not
limited to, round, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or any other
desired shape. The palettes can also have straight or curved outer edges.
The palettes 4 to 4-7 can form a template for a particular style so that
the stylist can replicate the style and/or color for a plurality of heads
and/or colors, or use the template as a teaching tool.

[0022] In the subsequent palettes 4-1 to 4-7, on accordance with one
aspect, the central apertures 8-1 to 8-7 of FIGS. 3A to 3G are
illustrated as having different sizes to fit different sized heads,
different contours of the head and different areas of the head. For
example, the first palette 4 can have a central aperture 8 that fits
around the hairline at the forehead, while the second palette 4-1 can
have a smaller sized aperture 8-1 that fits a vertically higher plane of
the head. A third palette 4-2 can have a central aperture 8-2 smaller
than the central aperture 8-1 in the second palette 4-1 for fitting a
vertically higher plane of the head. Subsequent palettes 4-3 can have
incrementally smaller central apertures approaching the crown to secure
such palettes to the head as the head narrows toward the crown. Any
number of palettes can be used in the palette assembly 2 depending upon
the desired style. In accordance with aspects of the present invention,
all palettes may have apertures of the same size.

[0023] The central aperture 8 of the palette 4, as a representative
example of the palettes 4-1 to 4-7 of an aspect of the present invention,
can be sized to encircle different sized heads and different areas of the
head. For example, central aperture 8 can be sized to encircle the head
at the forehead, at the crown, and areas in between. The central aperture
8 forms an inner edge 4a of the palette 4. The brim of the palette 4 has
an outer edge 4b. The surface of the palette 4 can be formed into any
size or shape depending on the length of the hair and other conditions,
such as the style to be created through the cutting and/or coloring
process and the desired locations of different colors or highlights for
the head to be styled.

[0024] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, palette 4 can
be formed from a plastic material. Other materials for the palette
include, but are not limited to metal, wood, ceramic tile or any other
material that can support the weight of hair on a head to be styled. In
one aspect of the present invention, the palette 4 material is rigid. In
another variation, the palette 4 material is flexible. The palette 4 can
have any type of appearance such as opaque or transparent. A transparent
palette provides the stylist with an overall view of the styling of each
layer of hair in the palette assembly 2.

[0025] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, each palette 4
can have a template, such as markings or grooves etched into the surface
thereof, painted, printed, or otherwise indicated on the palette surface
to indicate where and how a section of hair should be cut and/or colored
to create a particular style. The palette 4 can also have a straight,
curved or serrated edge to separate the section of hair being colored
and/or cut.

[0026] The palette 4 can be sized to the head to be styled, for example,
by applying a removable securing mechanism 6, such as a gasket, to an
inner edge 4a of the palette 4. The securing mechanism 6 provides a
smooth surface for securing the palette to the head to be styled.

[0027] In one aspect, palette 4 may be a rigid or flexible board of any
suitable material, such as plastic, metal and/or wood, that allows the
hair to be spread on a surface thereof, which is removably held in
proximity to the head to be styled via any securing mechanism 6, e.g., a
gasket, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro® strips, clips, snaps,
elastic bands, or held in place manually. Securing mechanism 6 also
allows the palette 4 to be sized to the head being styled.

[0028] In one aspect, the securing mechanism 6, such as a gasket, has an
inner surface 6a, which contacts the head to be styled when used. The
securing mechanism 6 can have any shape in which the outer surface
thereof conforms with the shape of the inner edge of the central aperture
in the palette. The outer surface 6b of the securing mechanism 6 adheres
to the inner edge 4a of the palette 4. The securing mechanism 6 can be
fastened to the palette 4 by an adhesive member, such as a peel and stick
adhesive. The peel and stick adhesive includes an adhesive member 66
mounted on the securing mechanism 6 that is covered by a strip of
non-stick material that protects the adhesive until the adhesive is
applied to the desired surface. Removal of the non-stick material
uncovers the adhesive material on the securing mechanism 6 so that the
securing mechanism can stick to the inner edge 4a of the palette.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect, securing mechanism 6 can be a gasket
formed of a hypoallergenic rubberized material that is secured to the
inner edge 4a of the palette 4. The securing mechanism 6 can also be a
solid tubular member 66 that has, for example, a circular cross-section.
Alternatively, the securing mechanism 6 can be formed to have a groove
along an outer surface thereof for press-fit insertion of the inner edge
4a of the palette 4. The inner surface 6a of the securing mechanism 6 can
be pressed against the head to be styled.

[0030] In operation, in aspects of the present invention, palettes 4 to
4-7 of the palette assembly 2 can be arranged by placing, for example, a
first palette over the hair on the head to be styled, as shown in FIG. 2.
The central aperture 8 of the first palette 4 applied to the head is
sized to encircle the head above the forehead. The gasket 6 attached to
the inner edge 4a of the first palette secures the first palette to the
head to be styled. A first layer of the hair, such as, for example, the
outermost ring portion of the hair, such as at the hairline can spread
over the first palette 4 for cutting and/or coloring. An exemplary second
palette 4-1 is arranged over the first palette 4 and secured to the head.
The second palette 4-1 can have a central aperture 8-1 that is smaller
than the central aperture 8 of the first palette where the diameter of
the upper portion of the head is smaller than the diameter of the head
around the forehead. The second palette 4-1 can be placed directly on top
of the first layer of hair and a second layer of hair can be spread over
the second palette for cutting and/or coloring. The second palette 4-1
also has a gasket 6-1 secured to the inner edge 4-1a thereof.

[0031] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, subsequent
palettes, 4-2 to 4-7 as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3G, may be arranged in
overlapping series in the same manner on the head. As each palette 4-2 to
4-7 is arranged above a previous palette, another layer of hair closer to
the crown of the head is spread on the palette for cutting and/or
coloring. The remaining hair on the head to be styled is drawn away from
the palettes 4 to 4-7 by a stylist, a free-standing assistant, or by a
holding mechanism such as a rubber band, as will be discussed in more
detail below, above the crown of the head, for example, while the first,
second and subsequent layers are spread on the respective first 4, second
4-1 and subsequent 4-2 to 4-7 palettes. The layers of hair spread on each
palette 4 to 4-7 are portions of the remaining hair held by the stylist,
the free-standing assistant or other mechanism for holding the remaining
hair away from the face.

[0032] After all of the palettes necessary for a particular style (which
may be, e.g., a single palette) are applied to the head, in accordance
with aspects of the present invention, the palettes can be clipped or
otherwise attached and held in place via attachment mechanism 10 to
maintain the arrangement of the palette assembly 2 in place. The
attachment mechanism 10 may comprise, e.g., hook and loop fasteners,
Velcro® strips, clips, snaps, elastic bands, or held in place
manually. The attachment mechanism 10 may comprise grooves or
indentations on the surface of the palettes, which, when stacked, operate
to maintain the arrangement of the palette assembly 2 in place.

[0033] In accordance with one aspect, FIG. 1 shows attachment mechanism
10, such as ladder clips. Each ladder clip 10 is formed in the shape of a
comb and has a spine 12 and a plurality of pairs of teeth 14 spaced apart
to the thickness of the palettes 4 to 4-7 to clip onto the outer edge 4b
to 4-1 b of the vertically arranged palettes. The ladder clip 10 can be
made from any material including, but not limited to plastic, aluminum,
stainless steel, other metals, wood or any combination thereof, and may
be flexible or rigid. Although FIG. 1 shows two ladder clips 10 for
securing the palette assembly 2, any number of ladder clips can be used
together in any number of combinations, for example, by fastening the
ladder clips to each other along the spine 12.

[0034] When the hair processing including cutting and/or coloring is
complete, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, palette
assembly 2 can be disassembled by first removing the ladder clips 10, and
then each palette 4 to 4-7.

[0035] In aspects of the present invention, a free standing assistant 16
as shown in FIG. 4, may be used to hold the remaining hair on the head to
be styled while the first, second and/or subsequent layers are being
spread on the respective first 4, second 4-1 and subsequent 4-2 to 4-7
palettes. The free-standing assistant 16 may include a telescoping body
18 that may be mounted on a base 20. The base 20 can include a
cross-beam, for example, as show in FIG. 4, for balancing. The base has
casters 22 so that the free-standing assistant 16 can be rolled to the
desired position.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, at a top end of the telescoping member 18 is a
flexible goose-neck attachment 24. The goose-neck attachment 24 has a
distal end attached to the telescoping body 18 and a proximal end having
a cap 26 attached thereto. A weighted member 28, such as a ball chain,
can be fixed to the cap 26 so that hair retention members 30, such as
hair clips, can be attached. The hair retention members 30 can hold the
remaining hair upright and away from the palette assembly, while hair
layers are spread on the palettes 4 to 4-7.

[0037] In accordance with one aspect, the free-standing assistant 16 can
also include at least one bracket 32 on the telescoping body 18 for
mounting one or more trays or baskets 34, and for holding the implements
for coloring and/or cutting. The tray or basket 34 can be used to hold
hair tools, such as the application brushes 46 or the hair retaining
members 30 used in the method of hair cutting and coloring with the
palette assembly 2 of the present invention.

[0038] Aspects of the present invention also include a mixing bowl
assembly as shown in FIG. 5. The mixing bowl assembly includes a mixing
bowl tray 36 having a plurality of apertures 38 for retaining individual
mixing bowls 40. The mixing bowls 40 are separable from the mixing bowl
assembly 36 and can be used to mix colors for applying to the hair. The
mixing bowl tray 36 includes marking areas 42 on the surface thereof that
correspond to each mixing bowl 40. The marking areas 42 allow the stylist
to write the coloring formula near the bowl containing said formula. The
marking areas 42 can be raised or recessed surfaces or surfaces that are
flush with the surface of the mixing bowl tray 36. The marking areas 42
can be formed of a writeable plastic, so that the stylist can mark and
erase the formula of the color contained in each mixing bowl 40.

[0039] In one aspect, each mixing bowl 40 may include a cutout area 44 for
mounting the application brush 46, when the application brush is not in
use. In addition, liners can be applied inside each mixing bowl so that
the surface of the mixing bowl remains free from the chemicals used in
the coloring process. The liners can be formed from plastic or any other
material that is non-porous or impervious to moisture and liquids. After
use, the liners can be discarded so that the chemicals do not enter the
drainage system.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in one aspect, the application brush
46 of the present invention includes bristles 48 and a body 52 having a
front portion 54A, a rear portion 54B, and side portions 54C and 54D. The
body 52 also has a first end 56 for mounting the bristles 48 and a second
end 58, which can be held by the stylist. The rear portion 54B of the
body 52 includes a hook 50 integrally connected thereto. The body 52 of
the application brush 46 can be formed from any material including but
not limited to plastic, wood, bone or metal. The hook 50 allows the
application brush 46 to rest on the cutout area 44 of the mixing bowl 40.
When the hook 50 attaches to the cutout 44 of the mixing bowl 40, the
brush can be positioned so that the bristles 48 are disposed within the
mixing bowl.

[0041] In accordance with one aspect, as shown more clearly in FIG. 6A,
the bristles 48 of the application brush can be arranged in two rows with
one row extending across the width of the first end 56 on a front side of
the brush and a second row extending across the width of an opposite rear
side of the brush. As shown in FIG. 6B, illustrating the side view of the
application brush, a space 60 is disposed between the two rows of
bristles 48. The space 60 is bounded by the two rows of bristles and an
upper surface of the first end 56 of the body 52. The space 60 serves as
a recess for the color product, so that a greater volume of the color
product can be held by the brush, thereby reducing the number of times
that the stylist must dip the brush in the color product.

[0042] The bristles 48 of the application brush may be cut at an angle
with respect to one of the side portions 54C and 54D of the body. As
illustrated in FIG. 6B, for example, the angle can be 45 degrees with
respect to the side portions 54C, 54D of the body 52. In the illustration
of FIG. 6B, the one row of bristles is higher than the other row of
bristles. As a result, the higher row of bristles can be used for a
precise application of color to a section of hair, and the shorter row of
bristles can be used for a broader application of color to a section of
hair.

[0043] In addition to the bristles being cut at an angle with respect to
the side portion 54D of the body 52, in accordance with one aspect, the
bristles can also be cut at an angle with respect to the front and rear
portions 54A, 54B of the body. As shown in FIG. 7, the bristles 62 are
cut at an angle, such as a 45 degree angle, so that both rows of the
bristles are higher at one side, such as side portion 54D and lower at
the opposite side, such as side portion 54C. The higher row of bristles
can be used for a precise application of color to a section of hair, and
the shorter row of bristles can be used for a broader application of
color to a section of hair.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, an aspect of the present invention includes a
non-residual adhesive member that can be mounted onto a comb 64 that can
be used in the advanced method and system for cutting and/or coloring
hair. The non-residual adhesive member 66 includes an outer sticky or
tacky surface and an inner surface. The non-residual adhesive member 66
is attachable to a comb 64 at a tip portion 68 thereof to allow the tip
of the comb to pick up waxed paper, foil, or other thin sheet of
material, without the stylist having to shift the position of the comb
in-hand. The non-residual adhesive member 66 can be mounted on the comb
64 by an adhesive. Alternatively, the tip 68 of the comb 64 can include a
slot for slidably inserting the non-residual adhesive member 66 therein.
The non-residual adhesive member 66 can be made from any material
including, but not limited to rubber. The comb 64 can be made from any
material including, but not limited to plastic, metal, bone or wood.

[0045] In the method of cutting and/or coloring hair according to aspects
of the present invention, the colors can be prepared in the mixing bowl
tray 36. The stylist can select the different colors or shades from the
mixing bowl to apply to the hair when the hair is spread on the palettes
4 to 4-7 of the present invention. In preparing the palettes 4 to 4-7,
gaskets 6 are applied to the inner edges 4a to 4-7a of the palettes to
secure the palettes to the head to be styled. The hair on the head to be
styled is pulled away from the face, for example, in an upward manner
above the crown and held in place by free-standing assistant 16, for
example, by a stylist, or by other means, such as a rubber band. Each
palette necessary to create a particular style is applied to the head.
Upon applying each palette 4 to 4-7, layers of the remaining hair held
away from the face are released and spread across the palettes. When the
first layer of hair is spread across the palette, a desired cut can be
made to the first layer, and/or color can be applied to the first layer
of hair with the application brush 46 or tool 46. The layer of hair on
each palette may be cut and/or styled in accordance with markings on each
palette (e.g., lines of different shapes and/or colors, grooves, or any
other markings) to ensure that the cut and/or color can be exactly
replicated. A separate palette assembly, with cut- and/or color-specific
markings may be used for each cut and/or color. Alternatively, a single
palette set with markings for several cuts and/or colors may be used for
each of the several cuts and/or colors. Foil may be applied to the hair
with the non-residual adhesive member 66, as necessary. Second, third and
subsequent layers of hair may be applied to respective palettes in the
same manner, and may be cut separately or simultaneously with the color
being applied to the hair, if desired. After all of the palettes (or a
single palette, as the case may be) necessary to create a particular
style and/or color are in place, the teeth 14 of the attachment mechanism
10, such as a ladder clip, can be attached to the outer edges of the
palettes 4 to 4-7. In accordance with one aspect, attaching the
attachment mechanism 10 to the plurality of vertically arranged palettes
4 to 4-7 secures the palettes together in the form of the palette
assembly 2 shown in FIG. 1, for color processing, for example.

[0046] In one aspect, after color processing, the attachment mechanism 10,
such as a ladder clip, can be removed and palettes 4 to 4-7 can be
rinsed, removed and reused. The gaskets 6 to 6-7 can be discarded or
reused depending on the material and hygienic considerations.

[0047] While aspects of the present invention have been described in
connection with various features, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that variations and modifications of the aspects of the
present invention described above may be made without departing from the
scope of the invention. Other aspects will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from a consideration of the specification or from a practice
of the invention disclosed herein.